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Straathof Nurseries


Excerpt from Powell River Living, Blast From the Past Column, May 2021.

John and Marie Straathof, originally from Hague, Holland, came to Powell River in 1952 and joined siblings that had already settled in the area. After the war, they had heard that this beautiful town on the coast of BC had land, jobs and opportunities. They left their war-torn country behind and settled on Sutherland Street in Wildwood, along with their nine children at the time. Powell River was paradise for them.

At first, John worked at the mill and after five years, he left to start his own business: a nursery. Friends thought he had gone crazy, but John was driven. He self-taught himself horticulture and opened Straathof Nurseries in 1957, which went on to support his family of eleven for over 12 years.

In 1959, the Straathofs leased land from Olive Devaud and moved their nursery to 4195 Westview Avenue. It became the largest nursery in town, spreading from Huntingdon to Kamloops Street. A storefront and florist shop was even opened in 1963 at 4727 Marine Avenue called Straathoflora.

They sold everything from tulips to evergreens, shrubs, roses, fruit trees, fertilizer, and so on. John also built three greenhouses where he grew tomatoes and bedding plants. It was a year round business; at Christmas the greenhouses became filled with cyclamen and poinsettias. Always busy, John also made his own dandelion wine and kept five beehives.

In the spring, the nursery was truly a remarkable sight: many will remember the iconic Dutch windmill towering above the brightly coloured tulip field. The Straathofs treasured their wide variety of tulip bulbs and roses from Holland; their granddaughter fondly recalls getting in trouble for running in the tulip field as a young girl!
Picture
Straathof Nursey: Dutch windmill and tulip field in Westview. (ID PH003366)
Picture
Advertisement in PR News, May 1959.
Picture
Opening Hours
Tuesday to Saturday
10 am to 3 pm

Closed Statutory Holidays
Contact Us
604-485-2222
info@qathetmuseum.ca
​4790 Marine Avenue, Powell River BC

© 2023 qathet Museum & Archives
​Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of material on this website. Dates and times are subject to change. 
Territorial Acknowledgement 
The qathet Museum & Archives is located on the traditional territories of the Tla’amin Nation. The Museum is committed to collaborating with all Indigenous peoples of this province including the Tla'amin Nation. We acknowledge the harms of the past, are committed to improving relationships in the spirit of reconciliation, and we extend our appreciation for the opportunity to live and learn on this territory. ​Emote!
  • Exhibits
    • Current Exhibits
    • Forestry Building
    • Virtual Exhibits >
      • Riveting Women
      • Symphonies of the Sunshine Coast
      • Capturing Mountains
      • Story of Cedar
      • Powell River Firsts
      • Rod LeMay Collection
  • Collections
    • Objects
    • Archives >
      • Research Requests
      • Indexes & Finding Aids
      • Archival Descriptions
      • Powell River Digester
      • Phone Books & Directories
      • Good Citizen
      • Record of Military Service
    • Local History Books
  • Programs
    • Public Programs Calendar >
      • Little Wonders
      • Spring Speaker Series
      • Fall Speaker Series
      • Mini-Curators
      • Papermaking
      • Summer Camps
      • Museum In the Park
      • Archaeology Day
    • School Programs >
      • Exhibit Visits
      • Outreach Kits
      • Portal to the Past
      • Educator's Survey
    • Virtual Programs >
      • Virtual Portal To the Past
      • A Taste of qathet's History
      • The Crafty Corner
      • Dive Into the Archives
    • Tours
    • Memoirs
  • Learn
    • Indigenous History
    • Place Names
    • Forestry History
    • Memories of the Mill
    • Community History
    • Blast from the Past
    • The Coast Memoirs
    • Heritage Stops
    • Blog
  • Support
    • Gift Shop
    • Membership
    • Volunteer
    • Donate
    • Careers
  • About
    • COVID-19 Updates
    • Name Change
    • Our Mandate
    • News & Reports
    • Staff & Board
    • Contact Us